Do Cranberries Stain Your Urine?

When you enjoy the tart flavor of a cranberry dish or glass of juice, a lingering question might cross your mind: Does cranberry juice change the color of your urine? Indeed, their vibrant appearance may remind you of beets, which can make your pee turn red. Ahead, we delve into the science behind whether or not this fruit’s bright hue has a colorful final destination.

Can Cranberry Juice Change Urine Color?

According to Harvard Health Publishing, urine may appear to be yellow, red, or brown. A “normal” urine color is pale yellow; if your urine is darker yellow, it may mean you’re dehydrated.

Red urine caused by blood in the urine can vary from light pink to very dark red. Harvard Health Publishing notes that strenuous exercise can also result in urine turning red. A harmless cause known as beeturia, which can occur after eating beets, may also turn urine red. So does cranberry juice make your pee red, too? Currently there is no condition known as “cranberry juice pee” that would affect the color of urine after drinking cranberry juice or consuming cranberries, unlike when you eat beets or drink beet juice.

Brown urine and orange urine may occur when there is a liver condition or can be due to certain medications. Other colors that can appear in urine include blue — likely because of an inherited condition — and green, due to medications or a urinary tract or bacterial infection that has entered the bloodstream.